And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:
for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
SHOW US THY GRACE
Show us our need, O Lord; How lost, How helpless,
How poor, How sunk in sin our carnal hearts;
Show us how vain to change our sad condition,
Our best endeavour and our utmost arts;
Show us how weak we are, and how dependent,
How multiplied defeats our pride abase;
And then—O Lord, lest we despair too wholly—
Show us Thy grace!
Show us Thy grace, the great, the all-sufficient,
Infinite riches for our poverty,
Mercy of God for uttermost salvation,
Weapon that turns defeat to victory;
Gladness unspeakable and full of glory,
Beyond our needs, a vast, unmeasured space.
Lord, as we never yet have seen or known it, show us Thy grace!
Annie Johnson Flint’s Best-loved Poems
N.J. Hiebert - 8002
January 22
“Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6
The prayer is to be with “supplication” and “thanksgiving.”
We can go again and again to God about the same thing, and be as importunate as we like.
At the same time do not let us omit to mingle our thanksgivings with it all,
for while there may be much to ask Him to give and take away, yet, if sufficiently
observant, we shall find many blessings to count, and very much demanding our praise.
And this will bring us to the very verge of that marvellous blessing contained in the verse following:
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.
Here God does not promise to do what we ask, nor does He undertake to alter our
circumstances; but something better is offered us, even His peace, that
passeth all understanding, to keep our hearts and minds.
God’s own peace, this becomes ours—a thing that has never been disturbed by anything
that has happened, nor can be by anything that may yet happen.
Angels in White - Russell Elliot
N.J. Hiebert - 8003
January 23
Israel loved Joseph . . . and made him a coat of many colours.
Genesis 37:3
And he left his garment in her hand.
Genesis 39:12
Pharaoh . . . arrayed him in vestures of fine linen.
Genesis 41:42
Three garments are mentioned in Joseph’s life.
The first is the coat of many colours. It speaks of a father’s deep love for his son.
The second is the garment he left in the hands of Potiphar’s wife.
It speaks of unjust suffering and humiliation.
It speaks of unjust suffering and humiliation.
The third is the fine linen that Pharaoh arrayed him in, speaking of exaltation.
What a lovely picture when we trace the path of our Saviour!
From the place of love, to the place of humiliation,
to the place of glory.
Sid Halsband
O Lord! When we the path retrace, which Thou on earth hast trod,
To men Thy wondrous love and grace, Thy faithfulness to God.
J. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8004
January 24
And the men of Ephriam said unto him (Gideon), Why hast thou served us thus, that thou called us not, when thou went to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. And he said unto them, what have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephriam better than the vintage of Abiezer?
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian . . . and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
And the men of Ephriam said unto him (Gideon), Why hast thou served us thus, that thou called us not, when thou went to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. And he said unto them, what have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephriam better than the vintage of Abiezer?
God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian . . . and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
Judges 8:1-3
DIFFICULTIES AND SNARES IN SERVICE
Ephraim, preoccupied with his own importance, thinks of himself instead of thinking of God. This is a frequent source of strife between brethren, and such contentions are far more painful and trying than conflict with the world. It is precious to see the man of God pass through this difficulty in the power of the Spirit.
Here trouble was avoided, and a breach prevented. Later on, it was not so. When altercations arise among Christians, deep humility is their only resource.
Gideon had learned this in the school of God, so that it was not difficult for him to realize on this occasion how to act. God had made him understand that the courage and strength which he had, did not emanate from himself; and that, in itself, the sword of Gideon was worth as little as a cake of barley bread.
And so, in the presence of Ephriam, the servant that Jehovah had used for this great deliverance, took care not to speak of himself. He devoted his attention to what God had done by the hands of his brethren.
Nothing so appeases contention as seeing Christ in others; it is the result of a normal Christian condition in the children of God.
Judges - Dr. H. L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 8005
January 25When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.
Isaiah 43:2
This wonderful text of encouragement and hope does not begin with the word “if,”
but rather with the word “when”.
When we pass through the waters of trials and difficulties,
He will be with us, come what may.
In the fiery furnace He was there with the three Hebrew men.
He stood with the Apostle Paul when others forsook him.
He is no fair weather friend. He’ll be with you. He promises,
“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” Hebrews 13:5.
Draw near to your Friend who loves you truly, your Helper who is at your side.
Talk to Him, confide in Him, and let Him comfort and strengthen you.
You will find Him faithful yesterday, today and forever.
Carl Knott
Though the storm clouds darken the sky, o’er the heavenly trail,
I just keep trusting my Lord, He’ll never fail.
J. W. Peterson
N.J. Hiebert - 8006
January 26
They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Psalm 107:28-29
O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea. Psalm 65:5
We cannot flounder on our course,
Though He may seem to sleep;
We sail His path across the sea;
His way is in the deep.
The thunder peal is but His voice;
The wild winds cry His call;
He speaks and roaring waves are still;
His word is over all. - Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 8007
January 27
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
2 Corinthians 4:17
A BRIGHT PROSPECT
We get too much occupied with “our LIGHT affliction,” and “the moment” in which it takes place. Our outward look is not far enough, nor high enough, and we are apt to forget the
“far more exceeding and ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY.”
The remedy for this is to “look . . . at the things which are not seen” (2 Corinthians 4:18) — a riddle, a contradiction, a paradox to all but faith, but how blessedly simple to faith.
You have a bright prospect. The most weighty teacher, the most faithful pastor, the most honoured evangelist, has not a brighter prospect than yours. It is to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, and spend eternity with Him.
“We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2
Then praise Him in the cloud, and soon you will see Him on the cloud,
to be translated into His presence without a cloud.
Selected
N.J. Hiebert - 8008
January 28
OUR SILVER AND GOLD KEPT FOR JESUS
The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:8
Keep my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Yes, every coin we have is literally our "Lord's money." Simple belief of this fact is the stepping-stone to full consecration of what He has given us, whether much or little.
"Then you mean to say we are never to spend anything on ourselves?" Not so. Another fact must be considered - the fact that our Lord has given us our bodies as a special personal charge, and that we are responsible for keeping these bodies, according to the means given and the work required, in working order for HIm. This is part of our own work.
A master entrusts a workman with a delicate machine, with which his appointed work is to be done. He also provides him with a sum of money with which he is to procure all that may be necessary for keeping the machine in thorough repair.
Is it not obvious that it is the man's distinct duty to see to this faithfully? Would he not be failing in duty if he chose to spend it all on something for somebody else's work, or on a present for his master, fancying that would please him better, while the machine is creaking and wearing for want of a little oil, or working badly for want of a new band or screw?
Just so, we are to spend what is really needful on ourselves, because it is our charge to do so; but not for ourselves, because we are not our own, but our Master's.
Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8009
January 29
A REASON TO REST
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3
Dormancy in a tree occupies a specific season. This season of rest is the one which just precedes the springtime of active and accelerated growth. It is really the time of peaceful preparation for the drastic demands of growth. It is the time of rebuilding worn-out cells and reconditioning tired tissues. All this is
in preparation for the upsurge of the vigorous spring.
In a certain sense the period of rest is one of the most important throughout the entire year. It is the season when a tree becomes fully refitted for the exhausting demands that will be made upon it during the long rigorous growing season when new wood is added to its structure and fresh fruit is borne upon its boughs.
So we may say in all accuracy that in order to grow and flourish in season a tree must also rest and relax out of season.
Precisely the same principle applies in the total spiritual, mental, and emotional life of the Christian. There is an erroneous concept common to many children of God that to be effective they must be always active.
Yet even our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, when He moved among us as the God-Man, found it imperative to withdraw from the activity of His busy life and take time to pray. Again and again we find Him slipping away to some quiet spot on a mountainside or across the lake where He could be alone and still for refreshment of the body, mind, and spirit. These were interludes of quiet communion with the Father.
Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8010
January 30
But we trusted that it had been He which
should have redeemed Israel.
Luke 24:21
I have always felt so sorry in that walk to Emmaus the disciples
had not said to Jesus, "We still trust";
instead of "We trusted."
Let us never put our faith, as these disciples did, in a past tense -
"We trusted." But let us ever say, "I am trusting."
Mountain Trailways for Youth
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise; just to know,"Thus saith the Lord."
(Louisa M. R. Stead)
N.J. Hiebert - 8011
January 31
And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua . . . and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of covenant stood. Joshua 4:8-9
One heap of stones was covered over by the waters of the river; the other heap was set up in the open for all to see.
Have you passed through some new experience of power and the love of your Lord? It helps if you write the date beside the verse in your Bible which helped you, or write a word or two of reminder in a private notebook, lest you forget. That note will be like the heap of stones set up in the river.
Nobody will see it but your God and you. It is a private heap.
But don’t forget the other hep which wasn’t private. Your children shall ask ". . . in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?" (v. 21). The children you look after, the sick you tend, the people you meet, will not something that will make them ask question. Take them in your confidence.Tell them what has been for you, not long ago, but perhaps an hour or two ago, or yesterday, or last week.
Set up your heap of stones to the glory of you Lord, so that all will see that He is indeed a God of Deliverances, a splendid, loving, joy-giving Lord whom to serve is the greatest joy in the world.
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8012
February 1
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16
Myself I cannot save, Myself I cannot keep; But strength in Thee I surely have whose eyelids never sleep. The moment we enter upon the enjoyment of any blessing Satan will seek to rob us of it.
An unsatisfied heart is a source of danger, and a divided heart is the continual cause of inconsistency of walk. On the other hand, when Christ possess and engrosses the affections we are superior to every temptation of the enemy.
We never enter upon any service rightly unless we expect to encounter the opposition of Satan.
Footprints for Pilgrims
N.J. Hiebert - 8013
February 2
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